Pinnacles Officially Dedicated a National Park

Monday marked the dedication of America’s newest national park. The Pinnacles is the 59th in the national park system. It is the first new park in more than eight years.

With strolling musicians, Native American songs and children from rural schools, the dedication of the park was also a celebration of the people living near it. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar told the audience that Pinnacles is part of his agencies to effort to expand the park service to include the stories of all Americans. “One of our responsibilities is to be the custodian of America’s history. And one cannot be an appropriate custodian of that history unless we are telling the history of all of the people,” said Secretary Salazar.

The Pinnacles is home to mountains over 3 thousand feet high as well as the endangered California Condor. Pinnacles East Entrance is 30 miles south of Hollister. The West Entrance is just south of Soledad.